It comes months after the company issued an apology for the former boss’ social media posts regarding chants during Bob Vylan’s Glastonbury set
Moor Beer Company is based in St Philip’s, Bristol
An independent brewery has announced the ‘removal’ of company director and shareholder, Justin Hawke in what has been described by the business as a ‘new chapter’. It comes months after the brewery issued an apology for a ‘social media tirade’ by Mr Hawke, in which he strongly criticised Glastonbury festivalgoers who sang along with “death, death to the IDF” chants.
In a post to Facebook on Wednesday, December 17, Moor Beer’s Drink Moor Beer page shared a statement which said: “Today marks a new chapter for Moor Beer. Justin Hawke had now been fully removed as a shareholder and director of the company. He no longer has any involvement with Moor Beer and has not gained financially from his departure.
“Over recent weeks, a small group of local people who care deeply about our team, our beers, and Moor’s place in the Bristol community have worked tirelessly to secure this outcome. Bruce Gray and Callum Bickers have led this group, and will form the core of the leadership team taking Moor Beer forward.
“They have great experience locally at Left Handed Giant and throughout the UK beer scene over the last 20 years. The business has been close to administration. The road ahead is still uncertain.”
The post went on to say: “Our immediate focus is simple – protect our team, support our suppliers, honour our debts, and keep Moor trading through this month and through the challenging start to 2026. As we move forward, we will be upholding the Code of Conduct accessible in our bio. Everyone involved with Moor Beer – employees, directors, and shareholders – will be held to these standards. There will be no return to the behaviours of the past.
“Looking ahead, we are committed not only to safeguarding Moor’s future, but to rebuilding it on firmer foundations – ethical leadership, sustainable practices, and a socially responsible approach rooted in Bristol’s independent beer culture. We hope that those of you who have enjoyed and cared about our beers in the past can do so again.
“Moor Beer has been part of the fabric of the Bristol beer scene for over 20 years. As a team, we are committed to doing the work required to ensure we are still here – brewing great beer and contributing positively to our city – for many years to come.”
BristolLive reported back in July that the brewery gave a statement to say that everyone at the company, including Mr Hawke, was sorry for the comments. Bobby Vylan, one half of British rap punk duo Bob Vylan, led crowds at Glastonbury Festival’s West Holts Stage on the Saturday of this year’s festival in chants of “Free, free Palestine” and “Death, death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)”.
Former Moor Beer boss Justin Hawke who has now been ‘removed’ as director and shareholder of the brewery company
In response to the performance, Justin Hawke, founder of Moor Beer Company in St Philip’s, hit out at crowds who sang along with the chant. “Thanks to the IDF and soldiers of all western nations who defend our way of life and protect the privileges we enjoy,” he wrote on Facebook, before referencing the Hamas terrorist attack on the Nova music festival on October 7 2023.
“The hypocrisy of any music fan or festival goer never ceases to perplex me. You should have been there on 7 October. Or perhaps we should have let Hamas repeat at Glastonbury? Then you’d be begging the IDF to save you.”
The post was later removed.
In a statement issued late on Monday (June 30), the brewery said: “To be clear, Moor Beer were shocked to see Justin’s post yesterday, which he deeply regrets.
“As a small, employee-owned company, everyone, including Justin, want there to be no doubt that we do not support genocide or the atrocities taking place in the Middle East, and are deeply sorry for any offense caused.”
Mr Hawke’s comments provoked a severe backlash, with social media users saying they would be boycotting Moor, and venues and promoters also cutting ties with the business. Popular venue Exchange Bristol pledged to stop serving Moor beers and to donate £1 from every pint sold of its remaining stock to the charity Medical Aid for Palestinian (M.A.P).
A number of other businesses said they would follow Exchange’s lead, and several bands moved gigs originally scheduled at the brewery to other venues. Moor’s statement went on to deny that Mr Hawke, a Californian who founded the company in 2007 after a career in the US Army, was still involved in the everyday running of the business.
“Justin hasn’t been involved in the hands-on day to day operations or communications for some time,” the statement said.
“He will be issuing a personal apology; he is deeply sorry for the pain he has caused, both to his friends and Moor Beer.”